Sunday, August 02, 2015, 7:37 p.m.

Washington County again issuing gay wedding licenses

The Washington County clerk has resumed issuing marriage licenses to same-sex couples, a day after a circuit judge in Pulaski County ruled that all state laws barring gay marriage are unconstitutional.

Two same-sex couples received wedding licenses shortly after the Washington County clerk's office opened Friday at 8 a.m. Clerk Becky Lewallen says a couple did stop by Thursday afternoon for a license, but she told them to return in the morning.

Pulaski and Washington counties had issued same-sex marriage licenses until late Wednesday, when an Arkansas Supreme Court ruling noted that a law barring the issuance of such licenses remained on the books. Circuit Judge Chris Piazza issued another order Thursday afternoon striking down all gay marriage bans, so both counties are now once again issuing the licenses.